History

Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities

County Boards of DD are legal entities with legislative power to institute programs for persons with developmental disabilities residing in their county. They establish policies, rules and regulations to operate programs in compliance with government standards. Prior to 1967, individuals with mental retardation in Ohio were served through county welfare departments. In the summer of 1967, the legislature passed a law establishing a Board of Developmental Disabilities in every county in Ohio..

These Boards assumed responsibility for providing schools, workshops, training centers and other services for children and adults with mental retardation. Each County Board is responsible to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, or DODD. As designated by law, the Board is subject to the department’s rules and regulations.

The Board must also adhere to the policies of such agencies as the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services and the State Highway Patrol. The County Auditor serves as its fiscal agent. Individual Board members are responsible to serve without pay in the best interest of the general public.

Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Stark DD is able to provide services to over 3,900 Stark County residents with developmental disabilities at no cost to participants, their families or caregivers with support from tax levies approved by the Stark County voters along with state and federal funds support the services.

Vision Statement

People with disabilities will be fully included in the Stark County community.

Mission Statement

Supporting people with disabilities and their families.

About Stark DD

The first hints of community based services in Stark County began with parents of school age children who opened two classrooms in 1953. In 1967, the Ohio legislature passed a law establishing a Board of Developmental Disabilities in every county to provide schools, workshops, training centers and other services for children and adults with disabilities.

Today, Stark DD is run by a seven-member board leveraging federal, state and local funds, and is responsible to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.